Rahul Somvanshi
Metro will shut down multiple stations on the Blue and Green lines this summer as part of its yearly maintenance program. The work will affect thousands of daily commuters but aims to fix aging infrastructure.
The Blue Line work runs from July 5-26, closing the Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield stations. The Green Line construction follows from August 2-31, shutting down Naylor Road, Suitland, and Branch Avenue stations.
“Safety and reliability are key tenets of Metro’s Strategic Transformation Plan,” said Metro’s Chief Infrastructure Officer Andy Off. “These summer construction projects allow us extended time to renew our rail system, making it safer and more reliable for our customers.”
Blue Line Changes – July 5-26
During the three-week Blue Line construction, trains will stop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport instead of continuing to the end of the line. Riders who normally use Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield stations will need to find alternatives.
Free shuttle buses will run every 8-10 minutes on two routes:
- A local shuttle connecting Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, and King Street-Old Town stations
- An express shuttle between Franconia-Springfield and the Pentagon
The parking garages and lots at closed stations will remain open during construction, allowing riders to park and catch shuttle buses.
On two weekends (July 12-13 and 19-20), Yellow Line trains will single-track between Huntington and Braddock Road, though those stations will stay open.
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Green Line Changes – August 2-31
The Green Line work will last four weeks, closing the final three stations at the southern end of the line: Naylor Road, Suitland, and Branch Avenue.
Free shuttle options include:
- A local shuttle connecting Branch Avenue, Suitland, Naylor Road, and Southern Avenue stations every 8-10 minutes
- An express shuttle running between Branch Avenue and Southern Avenue every 8-10 minutes
The closures will expand during two weekends (August 9-10 and 16-17) to include Congress Heights and Southern Avenue stations. Express shuttles will run from Anacostia to Branch Avenue during these weekend shutdowns.
What Work Is Being Done
The construction includes critical upgrades that might not be visible to riders but impact their daily trips:
On the Blue Line, crews will:
- Upgrade the train control system and replace outdated signal equipment
- Replace rails, fasteners, and ties to create a smoother ride
- Fix lighting to improve visibility in stations
For the Green Line, work includes:
- Installing over 100,000 feet of new fiber optic and radio cable for communication systems
- Replacing worn rails and track components
- Adding platform edge lighting to signal when trains approach
- Repairing elevated tracks and a bridge
- Updating signage throughout stations
Plan Your Commute
These closures will add time to many commutes. The shuttles running every 8-10 minutes will help, but riders should expect longer travel times.
Options for affected riders include:
- Using the free shuttle buses
- Driving to a different Metro station that remains open
- Checking if regular Metrobus routes could serve as alternatives
- Carpooling or using rideshare services during the construction period
Metro customer service can help with trip planning at 202-GO-METRO (202-466-3876). For service alerts, riders can sign up for MetroAlerts or check real-time information on MetroPulse.
This summer’s work is part of a maintenance plan announced in February 2024. The agency says completing the work during summer months minimizes disruption because ridership is typically lower.
While inconvenient for riders, these repairs help prevent larger problems that could cause unexpected shutdowns in the future. The upgrades aim to create a safer, more reliable system with smoother rides and improved station conditions.
